Eureka!: The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time

Gr 5–8—This informational volume that spans the centuries highlights 19 of the world's most amazing scientific discoveries, from Copernicus's radical claim that the Earth revolves around the sun to Francis Crick and James Watson unlocking the mysteries of DNA. Each entry begins with a snapshot of the scientific aims, challenges faced, results of the scientists' endeavors, and a brief biographical sketch of the scientist involved. This overview is followed by a narrative history of the scientists' work, and while the entries contain some interesting facts, they lack depth, leaving readers with more questions than answers. Photographs, illustrations, and informative sidebars are a welcome addition and are, at times, more revealing than the text. The book's format groups the information into five categories—medicine, the human body, matter and energy, planet Earth, and the universe—and within the first two sections, the subjects are arranged sequentially by year. The following three, however, place the entries in random order, which is confusing and inconsistent with the established structure. Although the selections focus on those breakthroughs made within the past 600 years, a color-coded time line lists many of the discoveries that have impacted humanity, leaving readers to ponder the criteria used by the author to select these 19. The inclusion of experiments, a glossary, and an index may inspire readers to explore the subjects in greater detail. Consider purchasing only as a supplement to an already strong science collection.—Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH